Motility Clinic Overview

The Motility Clinic consists of physicians who have special training and interests in disorders of gastrointestinal motility. The major disorders that fall into this category of gastrointestinal conditions include:

Gastroparesis (slow gastric emptying) that can be associated with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, nausea, vomiting and anorexia

Intractable constipation due to either slow transit or disorders of evacuation

Pseudo-obstruction (disorders of gastric and intestinal motility) that can be associated with all of the above in addition to distension, bloating, abdominal pain, undernutrition, weight loss and constipation

Undiagnosed diarrheal syndromes

Though some of these conditions do not have a well-defined pathophysiology or specific therapies, patients can often be helped by the highly focused therapeutic approaches that have been evaluated critically by the Mayo group.

Diagnostic resources available at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota

Gastrointestinal transit

Using noninvasive methods, it is possible to measure by scintigraphy or radiopaque marker techniques the rate at which material leaves the stomach, moves through the intestines and is evacuated from the rectum. These simple tests give an overview of the functions of the entire gastrointestinal tract.

Manometric studies of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine

Flexible catheters can be positioned at different levels of the upper gut. By recording the contractions of the intestinal muscle, the strength and coordination of the muscle can be characterized.

Manometric studies of the colon

Manometric studies can identify muscle strength and coordination in the colon. These approaches are particularly applicable to patients with severe constipation.

Anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion

The strength and coordination of the final step of rectal evacuation can be quantified. Complementing these approaches are:

Assessments of autonomic innervation/denervation

Together with Mayo's Autonomic Function Laboratory, tests of cardiac and sudomotor (sweating) function are used to assess the competency of autonomic innervation of the gut.

Diagnostic pathology

Histologic samples can be assessed for patterns of innervation or denervation by the intrinsic nervous system of the gut.

Behavioral and psychosocial factors

Recognizing that some of the disorders described above often have important contributions from stress and other psychosocial factors, the Mayo Motility Clinic has developed close ties for evaluation and therapy with:

An irritable bowel syndrome class (supervised by the Motility Clinic) taught by a nurse who has special training in the area with input from registered dietitians, behavioral psychologists and physical therapists

Chronic pain program

A multidisciplinary team of behavioral psychologists, anesthesiologists and psychotherapists consults on major problems of chronic abdominal pain and coordinates rehabilitation.

Colorectal surgery

The Motility Clinic interacts with surgeons from the Division of Colorectal Surgery who have special interest in intractable constipation and fecal incontinence.

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